Tears, Triumph, and Tribute: India’s World Cup Legends Honoured After Historic Win

It was a night of history and emotion at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium as India’s women’s cricket team lifted their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup trophy. But what made the moment unforgettable was their heartfelt tribute to two of India’s greatest cricketing icons — Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. After the final victory over South Africa, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates handed over the trophy to the retired legends, marking a symbolic closure to their two-decade-long wait.

Mithali Raj, India’s most prolific batter and the first captain to lead the team to a World Cup final, could barely hold back tears as she said only, “Thank you. I am so happy.” Jhulan Goswami, India’s highest wicket-taker, was overcome with emotion, hugging the players and celebrating like a child finally rewarded for years of dedication.

The emotional scenes unfolded live as broadcasters chose to stay on air, capturing the heartfelt moments between generations — from Anjum Chopra to Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh — symbolizing the past, present, and future of Indian women’s cricket.

In her post-match remarks, Harmanpreet Kaur reflected on how Jhulan and Anjum mentored her early in her career. “They always supported me when I knew very little about the game. To share this moment with them was truly special,” she said. The night was more than a victory — it was a full-circle celebration of resilience, legacy, and the rise of Indian women’s cricket.